The Wizards declared in their second innings at 332 for
four, setting the Aces a difficult target of 361 to win. While threatening, the
visitors eventually fell short at 296 all out, despite a knock of 118 from
Craig Cachopa.

The day started with Rob Nicol (81*) and Shanan Stewart
(96*) having some fun, adding on a quick 37 to their overnight score. Their
declaration after 65.4 overs left the match in the balance nicely.

The Wizards quickly got on top of the Aces batsmen though, taking
three early wickets, including that of Martin Guptill. Cachopa and Colin Munro
(59) worked hard to bring their side back into the match, putting on 100 for
the fourth wicket.

The dismissal of Munro halted their progress though and when
he was quickly followed back to the shed by Colin de Grandhomme (7), the Aces
were in a hole at 156 for five.

Cachopa though continued to fight and found support from skipper,
Gareth Hopkins (40). Needing a further 140 for victory, Hopkins was dismissed
by Todd Astle, effectively ending the Aces chances.

Cachopa brought up his own personal milestone with a century
off 151 balls, but unfortunately his extraordinary effort wouldn’t be rewarded
with a team victory. The Wizards claimed the victory in the 76th
over.

Ryan McCone and Todd Astle were the chief wicket-takers with
four scalps apiece, while Hamish Bennett and Andrew Ellis chipped in with one
each.

The Wizards now sit a comfortable 15 points ahead of the
second placed Otago Volts.

The top-order has done the job for the Canterbury Wizards, who head in to day four of their Plunket Shield match against the Auckland Aces with a lead of 323 runs.

The Aces gave up a first-innings lead of 28 when they declared at 300 for seven, but were hopeful of running through the Wizards batsmen to set up a reachable target on day four. That now looks unlikely, with the Wizards currently 295 for four.

The start of day three saw the Aces batting line-up continue to make valuable contributions, with three players (Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen and Colin Munro) making half-centuries. Wanting an outright victory, Aces captain Gareth Hopkins then declared after 104.3 overs.

All-rounder Andrew Ellis kept up his fantastic First-Class summer, finishing with figures of four for 72 from 30.2 overs. Whether he has a role to play with the bat in the second innings isn’t certain though, with the Wizards top six putting on a good lead ahead of the final day.

Dean Brownlie was the back-bone behind it, playing wonderfully for 98 from 93 balls, before a tidy piece of work from Gareth Hopkins behind the stumps saw him fall two short of his ton. Boasting three sixes and 15 fours, Brownlie’s knock had been an exciting one, but the pace didn’t slow with his dismissal.

Rob Nicol and Shanan Stewart backed him up with unbeaten half centuries, with the latter racing to 88 off 54 deliveries, including four maximums. Nicol will resume with him on 52 not out on day four.

All eyes will now be on skipper Ellis, who will likely need to decide the right time to declare.

The Auckland Aces had the better of day two of their Plunket Shield match against the Canterbury Wizards in Christchurch ending the day at a comfortable 180 with seven wickets in hand.

After resuming at 255-7, Canterbury pushed on to be all out at 328 with Rob Nicol’s unbeaten 66 the backbone of the innings. His late partnership with Todd Astle (44) helped the team over the 300 mark. The two Colins - Munro and de Grandhomme - were the best of the visitors' attack with three wickets apiece.

In reply, Auckland made the worse possible start with Jeet Raval falling for five before BLACKCAP Martin Guptill (50) and Anaru Kitchen (72) steadied the ship.

The partnership of 107 was finally broken by Andrew Ellis, who snatched both the wickets of Guptill and Kitchen. Despite their departure, Auckland were charging along nicely at stumps with Carl Cachopa (28*) and BLACKCAP Colin Munro (21*) at the wicket.

The Canterbury Wizards will be pleased with their application and their score on a green deck that offered plenty for the bowlers at the end of day one. Auckland Aces stuck at their task and ensured the Wizards batsmen got out after getting starts, and the match is poised nicely going into day two.

Canterbury lost the toss and were put in on a lively looking wicket - Tom Latham and George Worker showed good patience to make an opening partnership of 69 before Latham was trapped lbw by Colin Munro. The Aces could be accused of wasting the conditions on offer with their lines and length, but were still able to remove the home batsmen without any one going on to make a big score.

When George Worker went after taking 126 balls over his 33 runs, it triggered a run of wickets that saw the Wizards fade from 114-2 to 166-6. Dean Brownlie hung in there for 41 before being caught by Gareth Hopkins from Colin de Grandhomme's bowling.

Rob Nicol took care to preserve his wicket and finished the day on 37 not out (from 150 balls). He got support from Andy Ellis (35) then Todd Astle (35) before his side finished the day on 255-7, the highest first innings score seen yet at the redeveloped Hagley Oval.

There is still life in this pitch, and the Wizards will look to bat as long as they can before unleashing their bowlers upon it. The Aces obviously look to wrap things up as fast as possible, with Colin de Grandhomme looking to add to his three wickets.